Changing Clutch Master Cylinder

[CrowBar]

Just took a look at how this sucker is designed. (I don't have ABS). This looks like a horriffic job...like I may need to take the entire dash out since the %&*# retaining bolts thread from behind the firewall.

Does anyone have any pointers? Am I looking at this the wrong way?

--CB

[gtv682]

My father-in-law and I just did this last week. Yes, the design is cruel, but can be done in a day. First thing take out the driver's seat, and get yourself a pillow to lay on. Then, take off the bottom of the steering column cover (4 mm alan wrench). You will need some extensions, and you might want to have a universal elbow ready - it's nice to have the flexibility, but you may have to wrap it in black tape, because you may not want to have that much flexibility. Also, the bolt heads are 6 mm alan heads - yeah I was surprised too. Your gut will tell you to remove the little box on the bottom left (where I keep my garage door opener) and the fuse box - you won't need to. It takes some work, patience and a lot of laughter.

[mkeith]

I haven't had to replace the clutch master in my Milano....yet. However, I do have a suggestion for a tool that I think will probably help a lot. A friend of mine turned me on to it, & it's helped me in a lot of situations where I've needed some flexibility but not too much.

I call it a swivel extention, but it probably goes by a number of different names. It has no flex joint of any kind, & it looks almost like a regular extention. The only difference is in the head of it (for lack of a better term) where the socket attaches to it. Instead of a regular square shaped head, it has what I can only describe as a 4-sided diamond shape to it. This shape allows the socket a slight amount of swivel about the head of the extention. It allows roughly a 20 to 30 degree range of motion & will hold the socket firm. It won't buckle or bind like a flex joint. I bought a couple of sets of 3 of these extensions at my local el-cheapo tool store for about $6 each, & they've more than paid for themselves. I highly recommend them, & at the risk of stating the obvious, I think you'd do well to go with 1/4" drive for that job.

Good luck.

[papajam]

I'd guess I use a flexocket about 40% of the time. An absolute must have IMO. The flex extension that Michael mentions is another time saver that I use when the fastener needs a bit more torque than I'd care to put thru a flexocket.

[CrowBar]

Thank you all. I have the new cylinder, the u-joint thingy, about 7 extensions, hex and torx bits, and a lot of beer. We attack at dawn.
-CB

[Alfisto Steve]

You need 6mm allen wrench extension piece fitted/taped into a 1/4" drive small socket on end of universal joint wrapped with a rubber band top make the job easier.